Backpack the Skyline Trail

This hike can be done from either end, but the most popular route is starting from south side (Malign Lake trailhead), and I would recommend starting it from this trailhead to avoid a long climb up the fire road at the other trailhead. If you don't have a car, you can take the Malign Shuttle from Jasper Town for around $25, and then either hitch back to town or get picked up. 

Be prepared for parts of this hike to be strenuous, as you hike over three mountain passes - Little Shovel, Big Shovel and the Notch. And before you tackle the notch (the highest point on the hike), be ready for all types of weather, as you are completely exposed to all the elements on the ridge. During my hike I was given every type of weather possible (apparently pretty common) - sunshine, hail, snow, and pouring rain - all in two days. (Pack extra socks.)

There are lots of places to camp along this trail, so you can truly make this hike as long or as short as you want. All campsites have bear poles to store your food. Backcountry campsites:Evelyn Creek (km 5.2) Little Shovel (km 8.1)Snow Bowl (km 11.8) Curator (km 20.4) Tekerra (km 30.1)Signal Mountain (km 35.7)

I camped at Curator, which is a little over 20 km into the hike, and finished with longer and tougher day two (25 km). A few km from Curator is the Shovel Pass Lodge, where you can book to stay if you prefer not to backpack. I picked Curator to camp at because it is positioned just before the Notch, so I was able to tackle that part of the hike fresh after a full nights sleep and a big breakfast!

The Notch is the highest section of the trail. As you can see from my pictures, the weather was not great during this part of the hike. After descending the notch, the hike evens out and is fairly easy for most.